The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-30
THE LAND OFFICE.
Commissioner Sparks Resigna'
tion Accepted.
The Vacancy Not To Be Filled tor
the Present.

land Commissioner Sparks has received
from the President letter accepting his res
jeuation. The resignation of the Land Com
missioner was brought about by the differ
snces which existed between him and Secre-
sary Lamar concerning some railroad land
grants. Some days since Secretary Lamar
wrote sharp letter to Commissioner Sparks
declaring that one of them would have
to retire from the Interior Department., and
that this alternative would be submitted to
the President. Thereupon Mr.. Sparks sent
in his resignation to Mr.. Cleveland, who &C
cepted it. While declining through courtesy
to the President to give the letter to the press,
the Commissioner said that it was extremely
kind in tone, and expressed the Presidents
full appreciation of his services to the coun--
try as Commissioner of the General Lana
Office. -,
II feel like a galley slave just released, y
said the Commissioner to correspondent,
=. and but for the fact that am sick would
be in the best of spirits.
'.Of course" he continued, this is not g.
pleasant ending of my administration, and
when reflect that have given nearly three
wears of almost incesSant hard brain-racklng
work to the cause of the people for but little
more than my board; when remember that
am ut least SO ,000 worse off to-day than was
OIL the day came to Washington, and when
review my work of the last three years and
positively know that my course has been the
right and honest one, and that my position in
the case at issue is unquestionably correct,
why, when think of all these things, with
consciousness of having done my whole duty
fearlessly, cannot help wishing it were
otherwise Yet am by no means unhappy.
need rest, and shall remain in Washing
ton during the coming winter and take it
easy"
The General Land Office is now in charge
of Assistant Commissioner Stockslager, as it
will be probably until Congress meets and
the President can make the official changes
which he has been considering for the
past few weeks. Those who may be
safely supposed to know what is go,
remain Assistant Commissioner, and that
Mr.. Lamar will not name any one for the
place, leaving the vacancy for Mr.. Villas,
who is to become Secretary Of the Interior,
Mr.. Lamar going on the Supreme Court
bench, to fill with man Of his own choosing.
There are various speculations as to who
this man will be. 1t is believed the new
Secretary of the Interior will prefer his old
Assistant Attorney General, for the Post
Office Department, to any one that can
be suggested. This is likely for va
rious reasons. the first Of which is
that neither Mr.. Villas nor Judge Bryant
would regard it as courteous to keep one
of the best places in the Postoffice Depart
ment when the incoming Postmaster-Ge General
might have some one that he would prefer in
such confidential position as Judge Bryant
now holds. In the next place Mr. Villas knows
exactly what Judge Bryant's ability is. They
have worked side by side for twenty years.
Judge Bryant has been the counsel of the
firm and MIR. Villas the orator. They are
compliments Of each other to a remarkable
degree. Between them there is always the
best understanding.